Ice-Out 2012

[Resident 2B]

Originally Posted by Dave R

Is Sebago really free of ice?

Sebago is a very deep lake and there are winters when it does not freeze. This was one of those winters. It is not that unusual.

R2B

[Merrymeeting]

If the readings are to be believed, the 2 foot water temperature measurement on the WeatherCam page has shot up several degrees today, and it showing about the same temperature as the 10 foot probe (~39 degrees). The 10' probe was also registering over 40 this morning. So it appears that we're reaching the point where the colder and warmer layers are mixing to create a uniform temp from top to bottom, which happens for a short period in the Spring.

[Resident 2B]

Originally Posted by Merrymeeting

If the readings are to be believed, the 2 foot water temperature measurement on the WeatherCam page has shot up several degrees today, and it showing about the same temperature as the 10 foot probe (~39 degrees). The 10' probe was also registering over 40 this morning. So it appears that we're reaching the point where the colder and warmer layers are mixing to create a uniform temp from top to bottom, which happens for a short period in the Spring.

This all has to do with the density of water. Pure water is most dense at 39.2 degrees F. When the water well below the surface goes over 39.2 degrees, it floats to the top slowly displacing the cooler water close to the surface. People call it flipping. Once the lake flips, the ice melts very fast from the bottom up. CLAs two probes, on his Black Cat weather site, clearly are showing this process yesterday and today.

I am now thinking this weekend will be ice-out, but I have been wrong before.

R2B

[trfour]

R2B; I am now thinking this weekend will be ice-out, but I have been wrong before.

My eyesight is not as good as it once was, however, watching from Texas there is still lots of ice out there! If your prediction should turn out to be true, we'll send you some longhorn bucks from here!

Terry
_____________________________

[Merrymeeting]

Originally Posted by Resident 2B

This all has to do with the density of water. Pure water is most dense at 39.2 degrees F. When the water well below the surface goes over 39.2 degrees, it floats to the top slowly displacing the cooler water close to the surface. People call it flipping. Once the lake flips, the ice melts very fast from the bottom up. CLAs two probes, on his Black Cat weather site, clearly are showing this process yesterday and today.

I am now thinking this weekend will be ice-out, but I have been wrong before.

R2B

Thanks R2B.

While a bit detailed, a good description of lake flip, or turn over, can be found here.

http://www.waterontheweb.org/under/l...ification.html

In both cases, the phenomenon is very helpful to the ecology of the lake, bringing necessary nutrients up from the bottom of the lake, and mixing the oxygen levels.

[Blue Thunder]

Originally Posted by Resident 2B

Sebago is a very deep lake and there are winters when it does not freeze. This was one of those winters. It is not that unusual.

R2B

Absolutely Correct!!

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by Resident 2B

Sebago is a very deep lake and there are winters when it does not freeze. This was one of those winters. It is not that unusual.

R2B

I never go near it in the Winter, so I never noticed. Huh, thanks.